Door-latch.



a.' E. wwwa.

DOOR LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED NOII. 20. |9I6.

Patented Sept. 10, 19m,

2 SHEETS-SHEET a.

III u I' I i I III Z im l' l l, ULI;

v B. E. TYLORn DOOR LATCH.

APPLICATION vFILI-:.0 Nov. 2o. I9Is.

atented Sept. 10,1918.

l 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

v- 4certain new and Door-Latches; and I do hereby -declare thatv fthefollowing is amerals of reference marked thereon,

' BAYARD E. ramon, or o ax mex, ILLINOIS.

DOOR-LATCH'.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. t0, QS.

' k'Application led November 20, 1916-. Serial No. 132,455.

To all whom imag concemi y Be it known that I, BAYARD E. I`A-Yin, acitizen ofthe United States, and a resident of the town'of Oak Park, ,inthe county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented usefulImprovements 1n full, clear, and exact description of the same,reference .being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the nuwhichform a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a latchparticularly'adapted for useupon doors,although,

of course, lwell adapted for use in any manner wherein'a latch iscapable of serving the purpose required. This latch is more particularlydesigned for use on automobile doors,

" inasmuch ,as it operates automatically with a wedging action to latchthe door snugly and tightly with the strike plate on the door l frame,thereby preventing looseness and rat' tling of the door in vthe frame.:All door locks, latches or` fastenings now on the mar'- v'ket Ihave thecommonfault in that there is,

no means provided for compensating for wear and other effects from useaffecting the f adjustment of the door .in the frame so that the doordoes not latch snugly closed.

. It is la common expedient', particularlyon motor car bodies, toprovide the door frame with resilient bumpers which are compressed whenthe 'door is closed, thus allowing the 'doorto latch and the bumpersthenacting to hold the door' snugly and tightly latched 'and free fromrattling. The objection, howevento using-such a construction is that,

after. a short time, the bumpers lose their t resiliency or becomeworn,`or acquire a 'perl marient setandl do not function properlytoimposef'"'suiiicient"resilientA action-upon the doorto'hold it snuglyin'its .frame.-V Then too, Awhere bumpers .are used, it 1sv necessary *ito slam the door closed in order that it will detrimental to the.door-.1 structure.

be given s'uiiicient travel .to -per'mit the latch Ato interlock withthe strike plate on the door frame, and obviously Asuch` usage is t is`readily apparent that bythe use'of resilient bumpers upon a door frame,that proper latching of the door in the" frame'isrestricted, and may, insome vinstances, be prevented door.

unless extreme care is Ataken in closing a It is an obj-ect thereforeofthis invention vto provide a door latch wherein by simply closing thedoor, an unretarded free entranceof the latch bolt into the frame strikeplate on the jamb is permitted, and a supplementary wedge Amember thenmoves into operative position with respectl to the latch bolt and strikeplate to wedge the door latch and prevent rattling inthe event thatthere is any play whatever between the latch bolt and the strike plateby which the door is held closed.

It is also an object of this invention to construct a door latchcomprising a spring actuated latch bolt adapted to be automaticallyretracted upon contact with the strike plate on the door jamb whenthedoor is closed, and to spring into the strike plate recessv `uponregistering therewith j as the door is closed, and with an auxiliarywedge plate'or bolt automatically projected under spring stress betweenthe flat surface of the latch bolt and the edge .of the strike plate l'recess if any space or play existstherebetween which wouldpermit thedoorto hang vention to construct a' door latch comprising I a latchbolt, spring impelled outwardly and retractable by a suitably pivotedhandle, and provided with a rackbar mesh wlth' a pinion which is also inmeshwith. another rack bar mounted upon a wedge plate which isgniovableover the fiat surface of the latch bolt, so that a differential sliding'movement vmay be effected between the respective rack bars, and withresilient means normally impelling said handle and the pinion'mounted,thereonA together with the rack bars, 'latch bolt', and wedge plateoutwardly whereby' the wedge plate serves to project itself into anyspace existing betweenthe flat surface of the latch bolt and its strikeplate on the door jamb to wedge the latch bolt thereinl and preventrattling of the door in the frame.

It is furthermore an important object 0f ico section'detached.

A:this invention to construct a door latch coin-y prising a slidablelatch plate havingarack bar associated therewith and va s lidable wedgeplate having a rack bar associated therewith, both of said rack bars in'mesh with a pinion 4which is pivotally mounted upon a .plate which ispivote'd upon an actuatingy handle for retraction of the latch bolt andwedge plate, but permitting a differential movement therebetween wherebythe wedge plate may be impelle'd between the lat surface ofthe latch.bolt and its recess in the strike plate on thefdoor frame if any play'.'.Qor. space exists therebetweento wedge the door tightly closed in itsframe, and yet -by actuation ofl the 4h andle, effecting a simultanefvousretraction of the latch bolt and wedge' l'plate in the usualmanner'to release the door;

It is finally an object of this inventionto construct an improved typeof door llatch wherein a supplementary wedge plate is prof` vvided for.po-actiouwith the latchbolt in wedgingwith thelatchbolt in the recess.in

the strike plate provided therefor when 'the' door4 on which the ldeviceis` mounted, is

closed in its frame. ,f

They invention in 'a` preferred" form) Nis illustrated in thel drawingsand hereinafter vmore fully described.

l On the drawings: y l Figure 1 1s a front elevation of a latch for adoor embodying Athe principles ofmy invention, showing fragmentarily aVstrip of leather and a guard plate attached thereover through which theactuating handle on the interior extends for actuation of the door latchbolt.

Fig. v2 is a reverse view ofthe casing shown in Fig. 1, with all'theelements omit-l ted exceptin `the pivoted handle actuating lever of the.evice.

/ Fig.' 3 is 'fa vdetail section -taken on lin 3-3-.of Fig.- 1,' withparts in elevation.

- Fig. 4 is agrear elevation of the mechanism shown 4in Fig. 1,'with therear casing Fig. 5 is a rear edge view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1.f

Fig. 6 is a view ofthe mechanism at the other end thereof, withpartsomitted.

Fig. 7 is a detail section takenon line 7-7 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is asimilar view illustrating the lparts in another position ofadjustment.

'Fig 9 is a detail section taken on line 9.--9v of Fig.l 4.

Fig.`10 is a fragmentary detail. section taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 4.

e y rig. 11 is an inner face ,View ofthe adjustablev strike plate forthe vdoor frame.

Fig. 12 is' a detail section onv line 12-12 of Fig. 11. I l

As shown on th'e drawings-r' l The device consists of a fiat casingplate 1, a portion of one margin of ywhich is erence numeral 2,'

navegaba v flanged `in wardlyIy denoted by' theA refandi a portion ofthe other i'margin""whlchv, is opposite thereto is erence numeral 3'.,Pivoted juponfffa stud '4,

`projecting inwardly from the inner surface -of the plate 1, is along.lever-`5,f""ad oo u-r nectedupon 'the upper lend thereof and pro jectingoutwardly' through a curved 'slot' 6, provlded for the purpose, is afinger knob* flanged inwardly and is denoted by the refi'. A strip ofupholstery fabric'orleather 8,5 1s shown attached over the outer surface4of the frame plate 1, and attached thereoverf`A @mito the plate 1-, 'isa curved slottedid plate 9,'the slot' of which is in A'register withprovided in the lever 5, and loosely ing beyond'the opposite surface asclearly shown in Fig. 3. Il Said plate 12,

the slot 6, of the frame plate thusfaffording "a finished. appearance tothe guideway for- 'is rovided with a long Abar extension' whlch'extendsslidably-.throu h a recta'ngh-1 1` lLas clearly shown in Figs. 5 and. 9g-Coiled a v lar aperture provided there or in `,the 1x1-. 'turnedmarginal edge 3, of the yframe plater` out saidA bar extension13,a--compresfsion spring- 14, which bears at 'oneA end.' agamst the'inturned marginaledgeB, of.,

the 'frame plate. 1, and 'at-its other end be-v hind ysadplate 12,actin-g therebytov resist. plate 12 ,"asA well as the actuatmg lever 5,bywhichsad retractive movements vof said plate 12, is moved. Slidably-mounted'flat l against the surface of the plate`12, .is al rack bar 15,the rear end of which slides-in al notch therefor provided in theinturned marginal portion- 3, of the frame plate, and

the forward end'y of which-'has formed integral therewith `a latch' bolt16, which is slidablethrough an aperture therefor inthe inwardly turnedmarginal o rtion 2, Aof 'the frame plate, and which, ;w en retracted in'Y wardly vby rearward movementv of .the rack bar, moves in a shallowchannel formed by ap putlwardly struck-portion 17, ofthe lframe Pao.

Also slidably mounted over the surface of the plate 12, is anotherrackbar 18,-the rearl end of which is slidable in a notchin'the flangedmargin 3, of theframe plate, and' the forward end of'which is providedwith'.l Aan integral offset wedge plate 19, the flat surface of whichlies flat against the flat sur,

face' of the latch bolt 16.

.Journaled upon the pro]ect1ng end vof the 15 and 18, thus permitting adifferential movement therebetween, or in the case of no relatlve'movement between the pinion ,las surface of the plate 12,v is a pinion20, which 'meshes with both of lthe respective rack bars aaa/acca andeither of its rack hars, causing shifting of both thereof as a singleunit.

Attached over the mechanisms which are mounted upon the frame plate 1,is a channel shaped casing section 21, provided with suitable lugextensions which engage in slots 22, provided therefor inthe frameplate 1. Said casing section 21, is held secured to the frame plate 1,due to the fact that the stud '4, extends through an aperture in saidcasing section 21, and a nut 22, is threadedv on the end of the studover the casing section to hold the same secured thereon, as shown inFig. 3.

The strike platefor door frame or j amb to receive the latch boltprojected into engagementtherewith is of novel construction. The latchplate, as shown in 11 and 12, consists of an outer plate 24, with arectangular aperture therethrough, and an inner plate 25, having arectangular aperture of less length slidable over the inner surface ofsaid outer plate, and at its upper and lower ends, provided with slots26, through which the attaching screws extend which are used to attachsaid associated plates upon the door jamb. Before the attaching screwsare tightened, the inner adjustable plate 25, is shifted so that theedge of the latchbolt recess a'orded thereby is in close alinement withthe fiat surface of the latch bolt 16, which engages l thereover in theusual manner. A projection 27, is formed on the inner end of the wedgeplate 19, against which the inner end of the latch 'bolt strikes tothrust the wedge the latch bolt contacts the stri plate rearwardly 4whenthe latch bolt is retracted and the wedge plate is in extended position,such as shown 1n Figs. 7 and 9.

The operation is as followsf In closing a door upon which a latchembodying the principles of my invention is connected, the rounded orbeveled end of the latch bolt 16, contacts with the edge of the strikeplate 24, on the door jamb, so that the latch bolt 16, and wedge plate19, are thrust inwardly into the latch casing against the stress of thesprin 14. Before e plate, both the latch bolt and the wedge plate 19,are in their outer extreme position, such as for instance, shown inFigs. 4 and 9, andiupon I the latch bolt being thrust inwardly, theinner end thereof strikes against the projection 27 on the inner end ofthe wedge plate,

thereby positively retracting` the wedge.'

plate therewith. As the door is closed'in its frame, however, the latchbolt r16, is projected into engagement with the aperture therefor in theassociated strike plates 24 and 25, and the wedge-plate 19, also tendsfurther inward movemen to move outwardlyytherewith, but ordinarilystrikes against the/'locking edge 'of the associated strike lplates and1s prevented from differential attachment upon the the impulse ofthespring 14. 'The latch bolt being in advance of the wedge plate and free'to move forward'without the wedge plate, the moment that the latch boltoverlaps the edge of the aperture therefor inthe strike plate, thecoiled spring 14, advances the bolt with considerable force intoengagement with the recess in the strike plate. The latch bolt havingcompleted its movement into' engagement with the associated strikeplates, the spring tends tod'rive the wedge member into any spaceexisting between the flat surface of the latch bolt and the edge of theassociated strike plates if such space exists, and since a slight amountof play be# tween the bolt and strike plates generally does exist, thewedge member will be forcibly driven thereinto. an-amount suflicient towedge between the bolt and the strike plate so that the door is held'rigidly closed in its frame. f

It is apparent that the force `lof the spring is in both of thesemovements transmittedto the latch bolt and wedge plate through thepinion and racks, thus permitting a diii'erential action to take placetherebetween and yet impelling both forwardly under sprin stress. At alltimes when the door is close spring stress is operating behind thewedge, causing it totake up any slack which may occur between the latchbolt and the associated strike plates. The wedge angle of the wedgeplate is so small that there isno tendency for the wedging action totend to` cause retraction of the wedge plate and its latch bolt 16, thatis, the wedge angle, of the wedge plate is tooslighthto overcome thestress of the compression spring 14. j Furthermore, in the event thatthe wedge member itself were `retracted against the spring stress of thespri j A'14, the dii'erential action 'taking'. place etween, the rack18, of the wedge plate, and the rack 15, of

' the latch bolt, would cause the latch bolt '16,

In order to unlatch 'the.door,the handle actuating member 7, isretracted, which i swings the lever.. 5, rearwardly about its p1vot 4,carrying the pinion 20,',rearwardly therewlth, and du'e to theengagement of the llatch bolt with the projection 27, both the wedgeplate 19, and latch plate 16, are simultaneously retracted asla unit,said lever Aist 5, acting in its retractive movement, against the stressf the spring 14. Of course, the

Aaction of the wedge plate 19, is suiiicient toI take up any play,looseness or slack occurring between' ythe latch ybolt and the strikeplate ion the jamb, but in order to provide a means of adjustmentto'facilitate attachment of the entire lock upon the door, as shown',the strike plate is constructed of two plates, one an innersupplementary plate 25, slidably adjustable wlth respect tothe main orouter strike plate 24, sothat before the attaching screws for thefstrikeplate on the jamb are tightened up, the inner plate 25, may be adjustedto bring the latching edge of the recess in the associated strike plates1nto close alinement with the iiat surface of theA latch bolt whenprojected thereinto. By utilizing 'the upper end of the main frame plate1,

for attachment of the outer slotted finishing -plate 9, thereto, overthe upholstery or other covering, a neat appearance and substantialconstruction is provided at the point of projection of the handleactuation member 7 of h differentially with respect to each other to'.

" wedge the wedge plate against the latch bolt when the door latch isinflocking pos1t1on the lock.' n

I am aware that varlous detalls of con- -s'truction may be variedthrough a wide range withoutdeparting from the principles oftthisinvention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent grantedotherwise than necessitated by the prlor art.

I' claim as my invention:

-1. Ina door latch, a latch bolt, a wedge plate for. coaction therewith,a mechanism for automatically impelling said latch .bolt and wedge plateoutwardly together 1n a' vlocking operation and rack bars and pinionconnectingv the latch bolt'and wedge plate adapting said latch bolt andwedge plate to 40 move relatively of. each other.

2. In a door latch of the class described a spring impelled latchvbolt,a wedgeplate slidable over the 'surface ofthe latch bolt, rack bars andvpinion -for actuatlng the latch bolt and wedge plate to move togetherand and a spring for impelling the latch bolt and the combination withastrike plate, of a latch bolt adapted tobe projected thereinto, a wedgeplate movable., between the latch bolt and theI edge of the strike plateto'wedge the vlatch bolt securel therein' and means connecting the latchbolt'and wedge'plate to move forwardly together and adapted to .'-m'ovethe wedge plate forwardly independently of the latch bolt. l

4f.A In a door latchl of the class described,

the combination with a strike plate, of a latch bolt for projectionthereinto, a wedge plate adapted to be projected lbetween the latch boltandthe edge of the strike plate in wedge plate outwardly to latchingpositio n. 3. In a door latchof'the class described,

investe the event of play therebetween to wedge the latch bolt in thestrike plate, and a rack bar and pinion connection between ,the latchbolt a'nd wedge'pla'te whereby thef wedge plateandlatch bolt movetogether and the wedge plate is diierentially adjustable with respecttothe latch bolt;

5. In a device 4of the class described, a latch bolt, a wedgeplate, alever, means on said lever for adjusting the latch bolt and wedge platetogether and adapted to permit relative movement between the latch boltand wedge plate, a member. pivotally connected coll pinion and rack barsconnected with the I door latch and wedging means for adjusting the sametogether and differentially. y

7. In a device of. the class described a casing plate provided witha'curv'ed slot, a lever pivoted thereto at one end, la ingerknob on theother end of the lever projectingA through the curved slot, a guideplate having a curved slot *through which the. knob extends, an

actuating means carried by the lever, and, al

latch bolt andw'edge plate adapted to be eX- tended or retracted by saidmeans independently of each other or togetherjas a unit ineitherdirection.

.8. In aydevice of the-class described, a pivoted lever, a pinionmounted thereon, -a pair of slidable rack bars in mesh with said pinion,aflatch bolt on one of said rack bars,

and a'wedge plate on the other thereof for (zo-action 'withthe latchbolt when the same moves into interlocking relation v,with a strikeplate. y v 9. In a device 0f combination with a strike'plate, ofaiflatchbolt for o o-action therewith, spring impelled means for actating thelatch bolt into latchf.

ing relation with the strike plate, a wedge plate slidable over.the'surface'of 'thev latch' boltmovable with, and Amovable difierentiallywithres ect to said-latch boltto enlgage between ,t e same `andthe edge ofthe strike plate in vthe event of play therebetween, arackbar associated with, the latch bolt, a rack"bar associated withthe'wcdge plate, an .actuating lever, and a pinion mounted thereon inmesh with both of said rack bars aiordinga diferential connectiontherebetween.

10. In a door .latch ofthe-class described, a spring impelled latchbolt, a lever for redos4 the class described, the

temete tracting the same, a wedge plate for wedging co-action againstthe latch bolt and mounted adjacent thereto, said wedge plate and latchbolt movable simultaneously ,in either direction and movablediierentially with respect lto one another, mechanism retracting thelatch bolt and wedge plate as a, unit, andmeans permitting retractionlof the wedge plate wlthout retraction of the latch bolt.

11. In a device of the class described the combination with a strikeplate, of a door latch comprising a latch bolt for projection intoengagement with the strike plate, a'

wedge plate slidable over the surfacev of the latch bolt adapted towedge between the same and the edge of the strike plate in the',

event of pla therebetween, rack bars connected to said latch bolt andWedgeplate, a pinion in meshtherewith permitting differential movementtherebetween,v a pivoted lever, a plate loosely pivoted thereon on whichsaid pinion is jurnaled, a bar extension on said plate, and a springcoiled thereabout acting to resist movement of said lever and servingnormally to project said latch bolt and wedge plate forwardly intoco-acting relation with the strike plate.

12. ln a latchin device, a casing, a spring impelled latchbo t therein,a wedge plate for coacting wedging operation with said latch boltmounted within said casing and differentially interconnected forpositive movement with and without said latch bolt,

able bolt, a wedge member coacting there# with, and means for advancingthe bolt and wedge member together into latching position and adapted tofurther advance the wedge member independent of the bolt lto wedge thedoor shut. i

15. A latch for doors comprising a plate provided with a curved slot, afinishing plate having a complemental slot and secured to the plate, alever pivoted to the plate, actuating means movable over thel face ofthe inishing plate having engagement with the lever through the slots, alocking bolt, a wedging bolt and means carried by the lever lforprojecting and retracting the bolts to- 'gether or dierentially.`

' ln' testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name. in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

' BAYARD E. TAYLOR.

Witnesses.:`

CHARLES HILL, J r., EARL M. Hummm.

